[The English Orphans by Mary Jane Holmes]@TWC D-Link book
The English Orphans

CHAPTER VIII
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Arrived at her room, she commenced tumbling over a basket containing her wearing apparel, selecting from it a pair of fine cotton stockings which she had long preserved, because they were the last thing Willie's father ever gave her.

"They are not much too large for her now," thought she, "but I guess I'll take a small seam clear through them." This being done, she waited until all around the house was still, and then creeping stealthily to Mary's room, she pinned the stockings to the pantalets, hanging the whole before the curtainless window, where the little girl could see them the moment she opened her eyes! Mary well knew to whom she was indebted for this unexpected pleasure, and in her accustomed prayer that morning she remembered the poor old crazy woman, asking that the light of reason might again dawn upon her darkened mind.
On descending to the kitchen, Mary found Sal waiting for her, and, as she had expected, rigged out in a somewhat fantastic style.

Her dress, which was an old plum-colored silk, was altogether too short-waisted and too narrow for the prevailing fashion.

A gauze handkerchief was thrown across her neck, and fastened to her belt in front by a large yellow bow.

Her bonnet, which was really a decent one, was almost entirely covered by a thick green veil, and notwithstanding the sun was shining brightly, she carried in her hand a large blue cotton umbrella, for fear it would rain! "Come, child," said she, the moment Mary appeared, "put on your _tea-kettle_ (referring to the bonnet which Mary held in her hand), and let us start." There was no looking-glass in Mary's room, and she stepped before the one in the kitchen while she adjusted her hat, but her courage almost failed her as she saw the queer-looking image reflected by the mirror.
She was unusually thin, and it seemed to her that her teeth were never so prominent before.


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